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 SOM-4450
Demos Windows CE .NET
The next version
of the Windows CE operating system, Windows CE .NET, is scheduled
for its formal product launch on January 7th, 2002. Last November,
when Microsoft Corp. introduced the beta version of Windows CE
.NET, formerly code named "Talisker," to its Windows Embedded
partners in Asia, it choose Advantech's SOM-4450 as the demo platform,
using 40 units for the demonstrations in Taiwan, and another 25
units for the presentations in Japan. Microsoft also selected
Advantech's Panel PC 153T as a development platform for these
events. It will use the same platforms again for the upcoming
Taiwan Windows CE .NET Developers' Conference in January.
What's
New?
Now, thanks
to Microsoft Windows CE .NET technology, Advantech can offer enhanced
embedded software solutions to our worldwide customers. There
are several points that set Windows CE .NET apart from its predecessor,
Windows CE 3.0. These are: .NET support, IRQ sharing, and improved
user interface. As implied in the name, the support for .NET technology
is among the primary enhancements in the Windows CE .NET release.
"One of our design goals for Windows CE .NET was to make it the
best platform on which to base wireless devices," said Keith White,
senior director of marketing for the Embedded and Appliance Platforms
Group at Microsoft. "Windows CE .NET complies with the Bluetooth
specification as well as 802.1x, which means that customers can
be confident of the interoperability of wireless LANs, PDAs, mobile
phones, digital cameras, security devices, in-building controllers
and other peripherals."
Also, previous
to Windows CE .NET, Windows CE did not support IRQ sharing, so
developers were limited in the number of IRQ-requiring devices
that could be connected to a Windows CE-based system. Although
Advantech engineers had developed certain device driver workarounds,
such as that for the PCM-3641, where eight COM ports share one
IRQ, for the most part the maximum of 15 available IRQs put definite
limits on the expandability of system architecture. Now, Windows
CE .NET supports IRQ sharing, so the number of connected devices
is limited only by overall processing power.
Last, but
still important to users, the Windows CE .NET interface is visually
lusher, more like Windows XP.
Advantech
Puts Windows CE .NET to Work in Development Kit
The SOM-4450
module will start including Windows CE .NET as of its formal product
launch date, January 7th, 2002. The SOM Development Kit comes
with a pre-installed, tested Microsoft Windows CE .NET OS on Flash
disk, a Windows CE license, the SOM-4450 module plus a basic development
board, device drivers for onboard devices, utility and sample
programs and a user's manual. Also included is a null modem serial
cable and CESH parallel cable. It is a cost-effective solution
that leverages previous software and hardware experience, plus
greatly shortens application time-to-market.
Advantech's
CE Strategy
Advantech's
embedded software strategy is to "Enhance quality of life with
Advantech platforms together with Microsoft Windows embedded technology."
And our Windows CE strategy derives directly from that. It is
to work together with Microsoft to enable Windows CE .NET in the
embedded computing community. In order to facilitate quick project
startup, we offer over 30 Windows CE .NET-ready products that
come with Windows CE .NET properly integrated and licensed, ready
for the customer to start application development immediately.
We also provide
flexible services to help customers customize their Windows CE
.NET OS. These include: overall project evaluation, OS integration,
and device driver development, as well as separate training courses
for developing applications with Microsoft Embedded Visual Tools,
and integrating Windows CE OSs with Microsoft Platform Builder.
With the more
advanced technology available through Windows CE .NET, Advantech
is making Windows CE .NET platforms more flexible and ready-to-use
through continuous feature improvement. Planned improvements include,
among others, more installable device drivers utilizing the latest
system hive architecture. Our goal is to make Windows CE .NET
solutions easily and widely available to the embedded computing
community. This is our commitment to customers who are looking
for reliable embedded software solutions.
Find
Out More
Contact Advantech
at ess@advantech.com for
information on putting Windows® CE embedded systems to work ASAP.
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